From LaBelle, Florida for Hendry and Glades County and the Lake Okeechobee region. Don Browne, editor.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Panther Found Near Florida Beach

NAPLES, FL. -- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists and law enforcement officers captured and relocated an endangered Florida panther found near the beach at Clam Pass Park in Collier County today.

Beachgoers spotted the panther in the mangroves as they were walking over a boardwalk that leads to the beach. FWC biologists and law enforcement officers responded to the scene and darted the panther with a tranquilizer.

After a brief health assessment, biologists determined that the panther was in good condition. Biologists will use a radio collar to track future movements of the approximately 2-year-old male panther, which they estimate to weigh about 110 pounds.

“This panther was far from an area where we would typically see these animals, so we decided to relocate it to a more suitable habitat for its own health and safety,” said Darrell Land, FWC panther team leader. “We are thankful to the people who noticed this unusual situation and quickly reported it to us so that we could respond.”

Biologists released the panther in the Bird Rookery Swamp area of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.